Parting Letters

Chapter 11 : Tea

October 28th, 2021

The door beeped as I entered the tea house near our college. It was a new parlor opened recently, nonetheless rose to fame quite rapidly. It was busy as usual. How surprising to see customers drinking tea at lunch time. I rear my head round to spot a fiery red-headed girl sitting in the middle. Throughout the whole time, rushing from campus to here, I didn't get a chance to collect my thoughts. As soon as I got my break, I rushed here to not lose a single minute of time I spend with her. However, I recalled what we are here for. Why she chose to meet up. I scratched my eyebrows, dabbing my cold sweat.

We haven't met up since the gathering. Nolan and I got busy preparing for the competition while Hanah rehearsed. I didn't even have the opportunity to rehearse my part. Today the rehearsals were finished by morning as we had to set up the stage areas, prompting an opportunity for her to finally have 'the talk'. What did she want to talk about? Considering the gathering she specified it had to be me, Nolan and her. Supposing he isn't here and my break was after his, perhaps only wanted to catch up. What worries me more is we didn't even get to speak about the fight between me and Nolan. If that is the topic then I have no idea what excuse I am going to come up with. It was pretty obvious that it wasn't a small rivalry fight. It was a fight about her. Besides, if she does speak with Nolan - there is a high chance he might spill all the tea. I don't know if that is gonna be good or bad and my hunch shoots the latter.

I pull out a chair beside her, "Hi. Excuse my sweating, I rushed here as soon as my break started.", more like excuse my shaking nervousness.

"That's alright. I understand it's a rush week. I hope you haven't forgotten that you are also participating?", she said.

"Definitely not. Although I don't seem to get any time to practice. The function is in three days ; I don't know if I will be able to sing. Hanah, it's better if you perform alone."

"Don't! You promised to perform with me. That was our deal when you asked me to sign up."

"I know.....but you yourself sees me running errands here and there. We are at campus everyday yet we didn't get the opportunity to say hello until today. I didn't even get the chance to listen to your song. It's always 11 by the time I get home and I am too tired to practice. A lot of homework also has been piled up. I don't wanna ruin your chances of winning."

"I don't care about winning. I want to have fun. And it's no fun without you up there. The whole reason I am here is because of you."

"I am not going anywhere! I will be by your side the entire time. You will see me right beside the stage. I shall cheer and clap for you just the same."

Hanah breathes out as she slides her empty tea cup she had earlier to the left frustratedly, "I..... I just wanted to do something together. Us together. Before I leave next month."

It was my turn to breathe out frustratedly as I absorbed the information, "You're leaving?" Again?

"Of course. My vacation is not for a year, is it?"

I wish it was.

"Right.", I say.

What was I thinking? Of course, she was here temporarily. Did I presume her coming back was a permanent record? She left and she was leaving again. My heart constricted like it constricted 11 years ago. The past month with her was so overwhelming that I didn't notice it flying by. I thought she was here instead of arriving here. I couldn't believe it.

"Shall we order some tea? I didn't get the chance to try this place.", I suggested, the menu already shaking in my hands.

Hanah simply nodded. I ordered for the black tea and she, another cup of red. We were both silent, awaiting our orders.